For some teachers, they feel great reward when a student finally “gets” a task. For other teachers, rewards come from the smiles and the laughter of their students. And for others, watching their students grow and mature is an big reward.

But each year, one teacher’s reward is being named teacher of the year. For the 2012-13 school year, the Russellville School District’s teacher of the year is Julie Ann Hilton who teaches fourth grade at London Elementary School.

According to all who were asked, she is prized by her students, parents and her fellow staff members,

Tami Chandler, principal at London, said Hilton is a blessing to the school.

“She really cares about her kids,” Chandler said. “She takes a lot of interest in them, not only academically, but personally. She’s a leader in our school and in our district. She spends a lot of time here working on things to make sure that she gives her kids the best educational experience.”

Hilton said she is honored by the award.

“This is my passion. I love it,” Hilton said. “It’s what I was meant to do. It’s my calling, for sure.”

Hilton is a fifth-generation teacher who said teaching is a family tradition.

“I think that it’s pretty cool that it runs in my family,” she said. “It’s in my roots.”

Hilton has taught elementary school for 14 years. This current school year has been Hilton’s second year at London. Previously, she taught at Rena Elementary School in Van Buren and at Oakland Heights Elementary School in Russellville.

“I love it here in London,” said Hilton. “It is such a community-oriented place. The parents are all close to the teachers and we all know the kids by name. It’s special.”

In Hilton’s first year at London, she taught the third grade. This year, because of school expansion, Hilton made the move to the fourth grade and was able to stay with her students from the previous year.

Chandler said as soon as they knew adjustments were going to be made in order to accommodate the school’s growth, Julie immediately volunteered.

“She knew where the kids were at academically,” Chandler said. “And the parents loved that she was going to continue teaching their kids.”